Manu Bhaker made history as the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, clinching bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics on Sunday. Bhaker finished just 0.1 points behind South Korea’s Kim Yeji, who took the silver, while the gold went to Kim’s compatriot, Oh Ye Jin.
Overcoming her Tokyo Olympics disappointment three years ago due to a pistol malfunction, the 22-year-old Bhaker showcased her resilience and skill to secure a place on the podium. This achievement marks her as only the fifth Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal and adds to her impressive collection of nine World Cup medals.
On the first day of the Paris Olympics, Bhaker ranked third in the women’s 10m air pistol qualification round with a score of 580. She also recorded the highest number of perfect scores (27) in the qualification, securing her advancement to the final.
Bhaker’s qualification for the final marks the first time in 20 years that an Indian woman shooter reached an Olympic final in an individual event, following Suma Shirur’s 10m air rifle final at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Moreover, Bhaker’s milestone achievement highlights her exceptional talent and dedication, marking a significant moment for Indian shooting sports and inspiring future generations of athletes.
Stay updated with more news on India’s journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics.